So there's a rumour that the Caps were in on Karlsson the entire time and that the reason our Carlson isn't signed yet is because he was almost traded to Ottawa for their Karlsson.

Obviously that deal didn't happen. Caps first choice is still to re-sign Carlson but if he walks away in UFA, I think GMBM might make a play for Karlsson. Now I know the Sens want to package Ryan away as well in any Karlsson trade but I have to think that's just wishful thinking. Any team that wants Karlsson is a contender and no contender can take on Ryan's contract.

So here's the trade. It's modeled after Pronger's trade to Anaheim, which is the closest comparable I think (star defenseman wants out)

Grubauer can be flipped to NYI/CAR for another first rounder or kept around to replace Anderson. So basically 4 1sts plus a good young roster player.

Karlsson is the best chance of the Caps repeating. Not only do they get the best defenseman in the NHL, they prevent any other potential rivals from getting him. Karlsson's extension would only kick in after next year when Orpik's contract is gone, so they actually have no cap problems.

So there's a rumour that the Caps were in on Karlsson the entire time and that the reason our Carlson isn't signed yet is because he was almost traded to Ottawa for their Karlsson.

Obviously that deal didn't happen. Caps first choice is still to re-sign Carlson but if he walks away in UFA, I think GMBM might make a play for Karlsson. Now I know the Sens want to package Ryan away as well in any Karlsson trade but I have to think that's just wishful thinking. Any team that wants Karlsson is a contender and no contender can take on Ryan's contract.

So here's the trade. It's modeled after Pronger's trade to Anaheim, which is the closest comparable I think (star defenseman wants out)

Grubauer can be flipped to NYI/CAR for another first rounder or kept around to replace Anderson. So basically 4 1sts plus a good young roster player.

Karlsson is the best chance of the Caps repeating. Not only do they get the best defenseman in the NHL, they prevent any other potential rivals from getting him. Karlsson's extension would only kick in after next year when Orpik's contract is gone, so they actually have no cap problems.

That seems like a lot for Karlsson but he is the top D in the league. Basically giving up 2 definite first rounders, another potential 1st or couple of 2nd rounders in Grubauer when they flip him, a top 6 skilled forward and arguably our top D prospect at this time. If they don't take that they're crazy

It's crazy how Capitals might be able to actually let go of all those assets. Very interesting scenario.
They could use some of those future assets to send Ryan elsewhere, too, so that's another plus. Teams like Vancouver could be interested, just saying.

If I'm Ottawa, I say no. Three very late 1st rounders, Burakovsky, and a backup goalie in exchange for the best defenseman in the league? I would want genuine high-end talent coming back, someone with definite 1st-line potential.

The REASON they may not sign John Carlson is....CASH. Erik Karlsson SIGNED would cost >>>John Carlson on a per year basis.

So the Caps can keep John Carlson, save cash and save the equivalent of 5 1st round picks.

Grubauer is a late 1st. 2 1st in proposal. Lucas Johanson is a 1st. Burakovsky could easily net a 1st.

So would the Caps rather have ...

Erik Karlsson

OR

John Carlson
$1-2 mil per year in cap space
5 1st round picks

The answer is pretty easy especially considering John Carlson is a home grown product. Makes little sense for the Caps and Ottawa already stated that Bobby Ryan needs to be attached to the deal pretty much.

If I'm Ottawa, I say no. Three very late 1st rounders, Burakovsky, and a backup goalie in exchange for the best defenseman in the league? I would want genuine high-end talent coming back, someone with definite 1st-line potential.

The REASON they may not sign John Carlson is....CASH. Erik Karlsson SIGNED would cost >>>John Carlson on a per year basis.

So the Caps can keep John Carlson, save cash and save the equivalent of 5 1st round picks.

Grubauer is a late 1st. 2 1st in proposal. Lucas Johanson is a 1st. Burakovsky could easily net a 1st.

So would the Caps rather have ...

Erik Karlsson

OR

John Carlson
$1-2 mil per year in cap space
5 1st round picks

The answer is pretty easy especially considering John Carlson is a home grown product. Makes little sense for the Caps and Ottawa already stated that Bobby Ryan needs to be attached to the deal pretty much.

Click to expand...

The Caps need to obtain cap space to retain Carlson anyway. So, why not trade to free up space and the better d man in the process

The Caps would not lose anything because the Caps HAVE to trade others to be able to sign Carlson anyway

That's essentially five first rounders* for Karlsson, which is equivalent to what the Caps got in return for Scott Stevens when he signed an offer sheet with St. Louis. Seems like fair value. Obviously it's far from a direct analogue, but it's a very rough approximation.

*Burakovsky was a 1st rounder in 2013 and Grubauer can likely be traded for a first rounder

As a Caps fan, I'd rather trade less for an unsigned Karlsson (in this scenario with JC74 walks away). EK is still under contract for 2019, and the Caps window closes shortly after that as Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Holtby hit the ends of their contracts. I'm not saying that the Capitals wouldn't try to extend Karlsson afterwards, but that they'd deal with that problem when they get there rather than paying more upfront.

That seems like a lot for Karlsson but he is the top D in the league. Basically giving up 2 definite first rounders, another potential 1st or couple of 2nd rounders in Grubauer when they flip him, a top 6 skilled forward and arguably our top D prospect at this time. If they don't take that they're crazy